For nearly 200 years the Irmandade da Boa Morte — Sisterhood of the Good Death — have achieved a central role in regional society, preserving some of the traditional African values that slavery brought to Brazil.
The Sisterhood began as a bank in 1823, founded by freed slaves, to finance the freedom of men, women and children still bonded by slavery. The community, which is still made up of the descendants of slaves, is one of the oldest and most respected worship groups of Candomblé, the major African-based religion in Brazil. The sisterhood practices a syncretized worship that combines Candomblé, Catholicism and Islamic elements. Thanks to their microcredit scheme, and the two hundred religious events they organize throughout the year, the Sisterhood have achieved a central role in regional society, preserving some of the traditional African values that slavery brought to Brazil. (Source)
Ignisfilimundi 